Featured: Cranes Turned With a Paul Howard Style by Waukeene Vinson

Cranes Turned With a Paul Howard Style by Waukeene Vinson

Story and photos by Waukeene Vinson

This offset jig will give you about a 3/4″ offset each direction of the center line. I chose to drill the tenon hole 1-3/8″ in diameter. It could be larger or smaller. The 1-3/8″ works out well to have enough wood to attach a 2-1/2″ to 3″ diameter turning blank with 4 screws to hold it securely.

View 1: off-center jig
Washer added to prevent the screws that hold the turning blank from digging in to the wood on the back of the jig.
View 2: off-center Jig

two off-center turned birds.

Drill the 1-3/8″ tenon hole after attaching fac plate and bolting jig together on the 0 point so centers will line up with center of faceplate when drilling. This ensures the jig is centered to your spindle

Blank mounted for crane turning
Attaching a blank to the off-center jig.
crane head & neck
Turning the head and neck of the crane, jig offset.
crane leg & base
Jig centered, turn leg and base.

Crane step by step:

  1. Attach turning blank to jig using four wood screws, attach jig face to jig base using two bolts and washers.
  2. Offset jig to one side, turn head and neck.
  3. Center the piece on the jig, turn body, leg and base.
  4. Swing the crane back to the offset to drill the hole for the beak while the head is supported by the tailstock.

Sand each section as it is turned!

4 off-center turned crane
Paul Howard style off-center woodturning jig by Waukeene Vinson

Material List:

  • 2 ea. 6″ dia. 3/4″ Plywood
  • 2 ea. 1/4″ x 1-1/2″ bolt
  • 2 ea. 1/4″ Washers
  • 2 ea. 1/4″ x 20 TPI T-Nuts
  • 4 ea. # 8 x 1-1/2″ to 2″ Wood Screw
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